Come visit with us at the Canfield Fair

Next week the Ohio State University Extension Mahoning County staff and volunteers will be ready to greet Canfield Fairgoers with informative displays and programs. We even have a vintage Ford truck in our display. It will be ready for market, loaded up with Mahoning Valley-grown produce, reminding us all to buy local. Find us in the Expo/Floral building No. 44. Watch for the display boards outside our building.

The OSU master gardener volunteers continue on their “Valley Grows” collaboration with The Vindicator, displaying how successful growing begins with good soil, featuring composting, soil amendments and fertilizers. Volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions. Short topic sessions will be presented. Schedule times are posted at the fair, as well as ongoing videos by OSU educators.

After you grow it or buy local, the extension’s family and consumer sciences branch will teach you how to preserve it – canning and freezing. It’s made a comeback and always tastes better homemade, but you need to follow guidelines for making sure it stays preserved. Also planned are special programs for seniors on Friday and a health fair Wednesday.

The OSU Extension Ohio certified volunteer naturalists’ nature theme focuses on the circle of life and the effect of pollution on wildlife. Children can win a hand stamp when they “go fish” in the naturalists’ educational pond.

The 4-H Youth are such a large diversified group that they have their own buildings – 25, as well as their barns and stables and judging arenas. Be sure to take time off the midways to see their displays and animals to appreciate the hard work of members and their advisors.